The Project: Lisa Wilkinson says NSW ‘forgot’ about the coronavirus pandemic as case numbers grow

With the cluster of COVID cases rising, Lisa Wilkinson has said NSW got a little too complacent, which is now a huge concern for the state.

As the COVID cluster in Sydney’s Northern Beaches grows, so does panic for everyone who lives in NSW.

Lisa Wilkinson, a Sydney resident, hit the nail on the head during Thursday’s episode of The Project, telling co-host Liz Ellis that NSW, “kind of forgot” that we are in a pandemic.

“In NSW, because we never went through what Victoria did or South Australia... we’ve just been sort of rolling along, thinking, ‘Gee, haven’t we done well,’” she said.

“Well, it turns out it is very definitely still out there and obviously people who are asymptomatic that are passing it on. We are in a pandemic and we kind of forgot.”

Lisa says NSW "forgot" about the pandemic.

RELATED: Stunning claim about Sydney COVID couple

NSW health authorities have identified 12 new COVID cases in Sydney’s Northern Beaches cluster, taking the toll to 17.

Residents from The Spit to Palm Beach are being asked to stay at home for the next three days and WA is again forcing people from NSW to quarantine.

Epidemiologist and public health specialist Tony Blakely joined The Project, explaining how the “real truth will come in the next few days.”

He says “this is serious”.

Epidemiologist Tony Blakely says if the outbreak number grows, NSW should be worried.

RELATED: NSW reports a further case of COVID-19

Unfortunately, the new outbreak will most likely lead to border restrictions.

NSW travellers to WA are now required to self-quarantine under changes that have immediately come into effect following a COVID-19 outbreak in the eastern state.

An RSL club has been named as the believed source of COVID-19 infection.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said it is “critical” to locate everyone that visited the Avalon RSL Club on December 11.

“Our working hypothesis is that someone at that RSL club was potentially the source of infection for a number of subsequent cases,” she said.

“So, it is critical that we identify any individuals that may be positive there.”

A couple from the northern beaches were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, and were apparently roaming the streets – prior to receiving their results.

The woman in her 60s and the man in his 70s allegedly did not isolate after getting tested, outraging health authorities, according to The Australian.

It was also revealed one positive case played drums in a band who performed all around Sydney, spreading possible sites of infection all across the city.

Anyone who visited the following locations is urged to get tested and then isolate for 14 days, even if they receive a negative result:

• The Avalon RSL Club, 1 Bowling Green Ln, Avalon Beach — Friday, December 11, all day til close
• The Penrith RSL Club, 8 Tindale St, Penrith — Sunday, December 13, 1pm to 6pm
• The Kirribilli Club, 11 Harbourview Cres, Lavender Bay — Monday, December 14, 12 to 3pm
• Hungry Ghost Cafe, 20 Avalon Parade, Avalon – Sunday, December 13, 9.30am-11am and Tuesday, December 15, 9.30-11am
• Sneaky Grind Cafe, 3/48 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach – Monday, December 14, 9.30-11am
• Barramee Thai Massage and Spa, 4/42-44 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach – Monday, December 14, 2-3.30pm
• Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach – Monday, December 14, 7-8pm
• Avalon Bowlo (bowling club), 4 Bowling Green Lane Avalon Beach – Sunday, December 13, 5-7pm (not 3-5pm as previously reported) and Tuesday, December 15, 3-5pm
• Palm Beach female change rooms – Sunday, 13 December 9-9.15am
• Coast Palm Beach Cafe, Barren Joey Road, Palm Beach – Sunday, December 13, 10‑11am

There are also a number of spots where visitors at certain times have been advised to get tested and then self-isolate until a negative result is received:

• Bing Lee, Gateway, 1 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale – Monday, December 14, 4.30‑4.45pm
• Woolworths Avalon Beach, 74 Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach – Sunday, December 13, 12-5pm, and Tuesday, December 15, 12-12.30pm
• Oliver’s Pie, Careel Shopping Village, 1 Careel Head Rd, Avalon Beach – Monday, December 14, 9-9.15am